From 1945 until 1981, the national debt as
a percentage of national GDP dropped during each presidency, even during the
Vietnam and Korean war periods. It went from 117% of GDP just following the
close of WWII all the way down to 32% at the end of the Carter administration.

Then you know what happened? That all changed under the Reagan
administration. Reagan took over with national debt at 32% of gdp... and left
office with national debt at 53% of gdp. Bush II took over with the national
debt at 56% of GDP, and soared it up to just over 84%. Since then, under
Obama, it has risen to 102%... but is projected to come back off that number by
the CBO.

Using raw numbers means nothing... and most
"informed" people know. Non-inflation adjusted numbers will always be
exponentially higher.. its just math.. no matter what administration you
measure.

I'm as conservative as they come but I am impressed that the President put
out over ten percent of his income to charity. You would be hard-pressed to
find other Democrats that live by what they preach.

According to the NY Times "President Obama, a Protestant whose most recent
church membership was a mainline congregation, Trinity United Church of Christ
in Chicago, gave relatively little to charity a decade ago, but steadily
increased his giving as he became more prominent." I think Mitt was kinda
the opposite of this, and he doesn't wish to sound a trumpet before after
he donates....kudos. :) And, contrary to what detractors claim, Mitt's
donations weren't simply "tithing" but even if they were, tithing
goes to educate, feed, build, etc. it's a good thing. Watch "Why
Giving Matters"